1. [singular] formal the way in which something is done or happensmanner of (doing) something It seemed rather an odd manner of deciding things. He felt some guilt over the manner of her death.in a ... manner I had hoped you would behave in a more responsible manner. The issue will be resolved in a manner that is fair to both sides. criticism of the manner in which the bishop was appointedin the usual/normal etc manner The matter should be submitted to the accounts committee in the usual manner.

REGISTERIn everyday English, people usually say in a ... way rather than in a ... manner, or they use an adverb instead:They behaved in a very reasonable way.They behaved very reasonably.

2. [singular] the way in which someone behaves towards or talks to other people: She has a calm relaxed manner.manner towards Something in Beth’s manner towards him had changed. Sophie resented his high-handed manner.

3. manners [plural] polite ways of behaving in social situations: Her children all had such good manners.It’s bad manners to talk with your mouth full (=talk and eat at the same time).His manners were impeccable.Dad gave us a lecture about our table manners.You mind your manners, young man!‘Lesley just got up and left.’ ‘Some people have no manners.’Good heavens, child, where are your manners?

4. manners [plural] formal the customs of a particular group of people: a book about the life and manners of Victorian London

5. in a manner of speaking in some ways, though not exactly: ‘Are you his girlfriend?’ Nicola asked. ‘In a manner of speaking.’

6. all manner of something formal many different kinds of things or people: We would discuss all manner of subjects.The British Isles have been conquered by all manner of people.

7. in the manner of somebody/something formal in the style that is typical of a particular person or thing: a painting in the manner of the early Impressionists

8. what manner of ...? literary what kind of: What manner of son would treat his mother in such a way?

9. not by any manner of means British English spoken formal not at all: I haven’t lost my interest in politics by any manner of means.

10. (as) to the manner born if you do something new as to the manner born, you do it in a natural confident way, as if you have done it many times before ⇒ BEDSIDE MANNER, COMEDY OF MANNERS

manner nounI. way of doing sth/behaving ADJ. conventional, customary, normal, standard, time-honoured, traditional, usual | correct You are not approaching the problem in the correct manner. appropriate, satisfactory I did my best to behave in the appropriate manner. prudent, reasonable, responsible, safe, sensible Chemical waste must be disposed of in an environmentally-responsible manner. efficient, productive, profitable | logical, methodical, orderly, rational, systematic | consistent, uniform | objective | arbitrary, haphazard Files have been stored in such a haphazard manner that they are impossible to find. professional | constructive, positive The dispute could have been handled in a more constructive manner. non-violent, peaceful | straightforward | suspicious He was behaving in a highly suspicious manner. light-hearted | casual, easy, informal, leisurely, relaxed | formal | calm | off-hand He answered in such an off-hand manner that I wondered if he'd misheard me. confident, decisive | dignified | diffident, mild, quiet, shy | charming, cheerful, friendly, jovial, kindly, pleasant, sympathetic | abrasive, aggressive, arrogant, unfriendly, unpleasant | forthright | brusque, cold | businesslike, no-nonsense His no-nonsense manner gave him the reputation of being a good doctor. authoritarian, autocratic, high-handed | condescending, dismissive | authoritative The authoritative manner in which he talked concealed his ignorance. bedside, telephone He's a good doctor with a sympathetic bedside manner. She has a very pleasant telephone manner. VERB + MANNER have | adopt He tends to adopt a condescending manner when talking to young women. act in She accused the teacher of not acting in a professional manner. MANNER + VERB change His manner changed abruptly when he heard how much I wanted. conceal sth Her brusque m suggest sth He was not as loutish as his manner suggested. PREP. in a/the ~ The inspection was conducted in a thoroughly professional manner. in the ~ of He lectured us in the manner of a headmaster. in your ~ There was something in his manner that I found very irritating. PHRASES in a timely manner All claims must be settled in a professional and timely manner. | in no uncertain manner He told her in no uncertain manner that her behaviour was unacceptable.

manner II. manners: polite behaviour ADJ. beautiful, charming, excellent, good, impeccable, nice, perfect It's not good manners to stare at people. bad | table His children have no table manners. VERB + MANNER have | teach sb Didn't your parents teach you any manners? learn | forget I'm sorry, I was forgetting my manners. Can I offer you a drink? PHRASES have the (good) manners to do sth He could at least have had the manners to answer my letter. a lack of manners Her lack of manners is quite appalling.

have good/bad mannersAll their children have such good manners.mind your manners (also remember your manners British English) (=used for telling a child to behave politely)I frowned at him and told him to mind his manners.have no manners (=regularly not behave politely)He has no manners and he eats like a pig.forget your manners (=behave in an impolite way)Oh, I’m forgetting my manners. Let me introduce you to Suzanne.teach somebody manners (=often used when criticizing someone’s impolite behaviour)Those girls need to be taught some manners!it’s good/bad manners to do somethingIt’s bad manners to chew with your mouth open.where are your manners? British English (=used for telling a child to stop behaving impolitely)Jamie! Where are your manners?good mannersGood manners could not prevent her from asking the question.bad mannersShe apologized for her son’s bad manners.excellent/beautiful manners (=very good manners)Her children have excellent manners.perfect/impeccable mannersSuddenly, his perfect manners were gone.nice manners (=good manners)She has such nice manners.table manners (=the polite way of eating at a table)My parents expected us to have good table manners.

mannernoun1. BAD: Japanese manner is based on the idea that 'you are superior to me'. GOOD: Japanese manners are based on the idea that 'you are superior to me'.

Usage Note:CULTURE · CUSTOM · HABIT · MANNER · MANNERS · TRADITION Culture (1) the customs, ideas, art, etc, which are found in a particular society or group and which make it different from another society or group: ‘Obeying your parents is a hallmark of Asian culture.’(2) the art, music, literature, etc, that is produced by a particular society: ‘Professor Jackson is an expert on ancient Greek culture:’ ‘The Samba is an important part of Brazilian culture.’Custom (1) something that the people in a particular society have done (in the same way) for a very long time, and which they consider to be normal or polite: ‘One of their customs is to point with the thumb, not with the index finger.’ ‘According to local custom, his body was carried to the top of a hill and cremated.’ ‘His knowledge of Malay and Indonesian customs proved invaluable when we got to Bali.’(2) something that a person usually does in a particular situation: ‘His custom of making detailed preparatory drawings makes him unique amongst 18th century British painters.’ ‘On Wednesday evening, as was his custom, he went for a long walk.’Habit something that a person does repeatedly, often without realizing it: ‘She has a lot of little habits that I find really irritating.’ ‘In California I got into the habit of eating with just a fork.’Manner (singular) the way someone behaves towards people: ‘She impressed us all with her business-like manner.’ ‘His cheerful face and polite manner have won him a lot of friends.’Manners (plural) the way someone behaves towards people, especially when compared with what is accepted as polite behaviour: ‘The child has very good manners and always says thank you.’Tradition a belief, custom or way of doing something that has been passed on from one generation to the next: ‘The tradition was that when a man died, all his wealth and possessions would go to the eldest son.’2. BAD: American manner is all about freedom and equality. GOOD: American culture is all about freedom and equality.

Usage Note:See Language Note above3. BAD: Every society has its own laws and manners. GOOD: Every society has its own laws and traditions/customs.

Usage Note:See Language Note above4. DUBIOUS: One of the biggest differences I noticed was the American manner of being polite to strangers. GOOD: One of the biggest differences I noticed was the American custom of being polite to strangers.

Usage Note:See Language Note above5. BAD: We were taught how to speak in a good manner. GOOD: We were taught how to speak properly.

Usage Note:If you do something in the right way, you do it properly : 'Failure to use the equipment properly may result in serious injury.' 'Since George passed away, Mavis has stopped eating properly.'